GARP vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GARP (iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GARP is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GARP returned 20.74%/yr vs 11.67%/yr for ACWI. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GARP charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

GARP vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GARP achieves a 22.17% return, which is significantly higher than ACWI's 13.06% return.

GARP

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 12.94%
• YTD: 22.17%
• 6M: 23.18%
• 1Y: 46.14%
• 3Y*: 33.92%
• 5Y*: 20.74%
• 10Y*: —

ACWI

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 5.48%
• YTD: 13.06%
• 6M: 14.33%
• 1Y: 30.55%
• 3Y*: 21.49%
• 5Y*: 11.67%
• 10Y*: 12.94%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GARP vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	22.17%	21.49%	37.42%	42.86%	-26.75%	27.99%	26.51%
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	13.06%	22.41%	17.45%	22.27%	-18.39%	18.66%	13.70%

Correlation

The correlation between GARP and ACWI is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2020	0.86

The correlation between GARP and ACWI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

GARP vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GARP	ACWI
Technology	56.7%	29.4%
Communication Services	12.0%	9.0%
Financial Services	7.5%	16.1%
Industrials	6.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	6.1%	9.3%
Healthcare	5.4%	8.1%
Energy	2.7%	4.2%
Utilities	1.4%	2.6%
Basic Materials	0.9%	3.7%
Real Estate	0.4%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.0%

Return for Risk

GARP vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GARP

GARP Risk / Return Rank: 72
GARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
GARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
GARP Omega Ratio Rank: 71
GARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
GARP Martin Ratio Rank: 72

ACWI

ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 71
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 72
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GARP vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	GARP	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	2.41	+0.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	3.31	+0.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.44	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	3.24	+0.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.74	14.58	-0.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GARP vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GARP Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GARP and ACWI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GARP	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59	2.41	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95	0.73	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.43	+0.47

Drawdowns

GARP vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GARP drawdown since its inception was -31.34%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GARP and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GARP	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.34%	-56.00%	+24.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.69%	-9.73%	-3.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.73%	-16.55%	-7.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.61%	-26.42%	-4.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	0.00%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.37%	-8.61%	+1.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.40%	2.16%	+1.24%

Volatility

GARP vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) has a higher volatility of 4.87% compared to iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) at 3.88%. This indicates that GARP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ACWI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GARP	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.87%	3.88%	+0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.88%	10.27%	+3.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.87%	12.77%	+5.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.97%	16.05%	+5.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.90%	17.11%	+6.79%

GARP vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GARP has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

GARP vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

GARP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.25%, less than ACWI's 1.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	1.37%	1.55%	1.70%	1.88%	1.79%	1.71%	1.43%	2.33%	2.18%	1.94%	2.19%	2.56%
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	0.25%	0.31%	0.38%	0.75%	1.85%	0.67%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GARP and ACWI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, GARP and ACWI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, GARP or ACWI?

GARP has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to ACWI (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GARP dropped -31.34% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, GARP or ACWI?

On 5-year performance, GARP leads with 20.74% vs 11.67% for ACWI. On fees, GARP is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, ACWI has been the lower-risk option at 3.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GARP or ACWI?

Over the 5-year period, GARP has performed better with a 20.74% return vs 11.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GARP or ACWI?

GARP is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GARP or ACWI?

ACWI has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 0.25% for GARP.

What is the main difference between GARP and ACWI?

GARP is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. GARP tracks MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for GARP and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GARP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 2.41), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.